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Background: Contrast echocardiography improves endocardial border detection of the left ventricle. Whether this is also true for the right ventricle (RV) is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of contrast (Sonovue™) echocardiography has additional value in RV endocardial border visualisation (EBV), and whether it has impact on the echocardiographic judgement of RV function.Methods: Twenty adult patients with congenital heart disease were imaged using second harmonic two-dimensional echocardiography with and without contrast. Two independent observers analysed EBV of 13 RV wall segments in each patient. EBV was graded for each wall segment from 0 to 3 (0 = not visible, 3 = optimal visualisation).Results: EBV improved in all patients with contrast echocardiography compared to second harmonic imaging (mean EBV 1.00±0.77 with second harmonics, 2.13±0.75 with contrast, P<0.0001). The benefit was most evident in the near-field images. In 55% of the patients visual estimation of RV function changed with contrast echocardiography.Conclusion: The use of contrast echocardiography is superior to second harmonic imaging for RV EBV. Improved EBV may allow more accurate assessment of RV dimensions and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the clinical utility and cost effectiveness of a personal ultrasound imager (PUI) during consultation rounds for cardiac evaluation of patients with suspected cardiac disease. Methods: 107 unselected patients from non-cardiac departments (55% men) were enrolled in the study. After the physical examination the consultant cardiologist performed an echocardiographic study with a PUI. The final report was given instantly to the referring physician. All patients subsequently underwent a study with a standard echocardiographic device (SED). For each patient the consultant cardiologist noted whether the findings of the PUI were adequate for final diagnosis. The total cost when full echocardiography was used was compared with the cost when the PUI was used. The time interval from request to diagnosis was also compared. Results: In 84 (78.5%) patients no further examination with an SED was regarded as necessary. Twenty three patients (21.5%) required a further detailed examination with the SED because of the need for haemodynamic information. There was an excellent agreement for the detection of abnormalities between the two devices (96%). The total cost was €132 per patient with the SED and €75 per patient with the PUI. According to this study, the use of the PUI can lead to a 33.4% reduction of total cost. The mean time from request to diagnosis at the authors' institution was four days for the SED and instantly for the PUI, for additional potential cost savings. Conclusions: Immediate echocardiographic assessment during consultation rounds can lead to significant cost savings and can shorten the time to diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a unique case where early proarrhythmic and late antiarrhythmic characteristics of interatrial conduction delay were observed during the long-term progression of HCM. Occurrence of AT constantly increased as the interatrial conduction delay became more prominent, while the P-wave width in sinus rhythm and the AT cycle length both showed an instantaneous increase in parallel. As the interatrial delay reached a critical point, the right and left atrial P-wave became virtually separated, as demonstrated by the findings of ECGs and echocardiography. This phenomenon resulted in the complete cessation of tachycardias. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 587-589 May 2011) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Alterations in sarcomeric protein expression, phosphorylation and contractile function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients carrying a founder mutation in myosin binding protein C," by S.J. Van Dijk and colleagues is presented.

The development of ultrasound contrast agents, containing encapsulated microbubbles, has increased the possibilities for diagnostic imaging. Ultrasound contrast agents are currently used to enhance left ventricular opacification, increase Doppler signal intensity, and in myocardial perfusion imaging. Diagnostic imaging with contrast agents is performed with low acoustic pressure using non-linear reflection of ultrasound waves by microbubbles. Ultrasound causes bubble destruction, which lowers the threshold for cavitation, resulting in microstreaming and increased permeability of cell membranes. Interestingly, this mechanism can be used for delivery of drugs or genes into tissue. Microbubbles have been shown to be capable of carrying drugs and genes, and destruction of the bubbles will result in local release of their contents. Recent studies demonstrated the potential of microbubbles and ultrasound in thrombolysis. In this article, we will review the recent advances of microbubbles as a vehicle for delivery of drugs and genes, and discuss possible therapeutic applications in thrombolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Regional left ventricular systolic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy evaluated by real-time three dimensional echocardiograph," by O. I. I. Soliman and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Contrast echocardiography improves interobserver agreement for wall motion score index and correlation with ejection fraction," by A. R. T. Van De Ven and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis is associated with improved aortic distensibility at long-term follow-up," by A. Nemes and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Increased aortic stiffness in glycogenosis type 2 (Pompe's disease)," by A. Nemes and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Efficient quantification of the left ventricular volume using 3D-echocardiography," by M. M. Voormolen and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Assessment of left atrial function: A real-time 3-D Echocardiography study," by A.M. Anwar and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Regional left ventricular systolic function in dilated cardiomyopathy: A real-time three dimensional echocardiographic study," by M. L. Geleijnse is presented.